Creativity comes in a surprising range of shapes and sizes in Australia and is often the inspiration behind people becoming involved in their local community. This year, Sensis is celebrating the contribution creative Australians, such as Warrnambool resident Janet Ferguson, have made to their communities through the arts by featuring them on the cover of the 2009/10 Yellow Pages® and White Pages® directories.

Janet was thrilled to learn she would appear on the cover of the Warrnambool directory after being nominated by members of the local community to represent the entire region as the epitome of this year’s theme – Creative Australians: Inspiring our Communities.

Janet has initiated and conducted a number of children’s choirs throughout the region – most notably the Warrnambool Youth Choir. Many of the children’s choirs she leads have performed at Eisteddfods and at community events such as Carols by Candlelight.

As a member of the Warrnambool Artists’ Society, Janet is always encouraging children to participate in a variety of arts projects as well as a number of children’s festivals including Fun 4 Kids, Kids Universe and Art 4 Kids. Janet is also the founding artist of the Loft Art Gallery, a space where local artists can display their artworks free of charge.

“I love working with kids; creating opportunities for them to get involved in the arts is a passion of mine. We have art classes, choirs and art festivals dedicated to engaging children throughout the region and it has been great to see so many kids participating,” Janet said.

Group Manager, White Pages®, Jane Blackley, said the theme Creative Australians: Inspiring our Communities provided Sensis with a great opportunity to recognise Australians who are helping to build stronger community relationships through their advocacy of the arts.

“Right across the country, there are people like Janet making amazing contributions to their communities through the arts so this year we thought we would put the spotlight on them by featuring them on the cover of the Yellow Pages® and White Pages® directories.”

“Whether it’s performing, teaching, hosting exhibitions, raising money or administering arts programs, this year’s cover subjects are all dedicated to establishing ways for local people to become involved in the arts and to share and develop their creativity.”

“Janet is a fine example of a creative Australian who, through a love of the arts, is helping to inspire others and foster art and culture in the local community,” Ms Blackley said.

Janet replaces the employees of Cheese World on the cover of the Warrnambool directory, who featured last year as part of the ‘Celebrating Australian Flavour’ theme.

With the 2009/10 Yellow Pages® and White Pages® directory commencing distribution on Thursday 2 April, Ms Blackley encouraged residents and businesses to recycle their old directories.

“In most areas, Yellow Pages® and White Pages® directories can be recycled as part of normal kerbside recycling services, but if people are unsure they can log onto www.recyclingnearyou.com.au to find out about recycling services available in their local area,” she said.

About Sensis

Sensis is Telstra's advertising business and Australia's leading directories information resource, helping Australians find, buy and sell. Sensis delivers innovative and integrated local search and digital marketing solutions via print, online, voice and mobile channels to connect Australians 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Sensis' powerful, multi-channel portfolio provides an unparalleled local information source incorporating the White Pages® and Yellow Pages® directories; the MediaSmart digital advertising business; the Whereis® digital mapping business; the Citysearch® entertainment and lifestyle website; the sensis.com.au search engine; the 1234 operator-assisted, premium voice information service; and the accommodation website gostay.com.au. Sensis is also a partner in some of China's most popular websites including real estate and home furnishings website, SouFun.com; auto websites Autohome.com and Che168.com; and digital devices websites IT168.com and PCPop.com.cn.